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Gamma Theta Upsilon

Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU) is an international honor society in geography. Gamma Theta Upsilon was founded on May 15, 1928 and became a national organization on May 15, 1931. In January 1969, GTU became an International Geographical Honors Society. The local chapter, Lambda, was founded in 1936. Members of GTU have met academic requirements and share a background and interest in geography. GTU chapter activities support geography knowledge and awareness.

Members of the SIUC chapter are students from the Department of Geography and Environmental Resources undergraduate and graduate programs as well as from the Environmental Resources and Policy PhD program.

The Purposes of GTU are:

To further professional interest in Geography by affording a common organization for those interested in the field.

To strengthen student and professional training through academic experiences in addition to those of the classroom and laboratory.

To advance the status of Geography as a cultural and practical discipline for study and investigation.

To encourage student research of high quality, and to promote an outlet for publication.

To create and administer funds for furthering graduate study and/or research in the field of Geography.To encourage members to apply geographic knowledge and skills in service to humankind.

Membership

Membership is earned through superior scholarship; it is an honor, and a professional distinction. Academic standards are a must to gain entry. Initiates must have:

completed a minimum of 3 geography courses,

a GPA of at least 3.3 overall,

a GPA of at least 3.3 in geography, and

completed at least 3 semesters of college course work.

Dues

$40 one-time payment to the International Chapter due just prior to initiation.

Benefits of Membership

The Geographical Bulletin is a scholarly peer-reviewed journal published twice a year by GTU. Articles concerning any area of geographical interest are solicited from students and faculty. Initiates receive two free issues after initiation and may subsequently renew their subscription.

Five scholarships are awarded annually to Gamma Theta Upsilon members: four to undergraduates and one to a continuing graduate student.